Sturbridge traffic stop yields stolen graveyard markers

Sunday

Apr 6, 2014 at 11:06 PMApr 6, 2014 at 11:41 PM

By Kim Ring TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

STURBRIDGE — More than two dozen stolen flag holders allegedly taken from St. Joseph's Garden of Peace Cemetery on Old Worcester Road in Webster were recovered when Trooper Scott Shea stopped a vehicle wanted in connection with the theft of a dealer's license plate on Sunday.

The driver of the car, Alan E. Savides, 56, of Webster, was arrested and charged with receiving stolen property; 25 counts of removal of a grave flag, token or flowers; and following too close.

Trooper Shea spotted the vehicle, which Dudley police were searching for after the theft of the license plate, and saw the driver following too close to another vehicle on Route 131. He stopped the car at about 7:45 a.m. Sunday and discovered the missing plate along with veteran flag holder/grave markers, a Webster Fire Department grave marker, and a Polish American flag holder, inside the vehicle.

Mr. Savides is slated to be arraigned Monday in Dudley District Court.

Contact Kim Ring at kring@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @kimmring